Zelensky's constant changes of ministers: "Political jealousy"

 

Henrik Samuelsson/TT

 

Published 12:51

 

 

Image distributed by the presidential staff on July 22 to show a unified Ukrainian defense leadership. From left: new defense minister Yevhen Chmara, former commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky, President Volodymyr Zelensky, new commander-in-chief Mykhailo Drapaty. Photo: Ukrainian presidential staff via AP/TT

President Zelensky's shakeups in Ukraine's leadership come frequently and unpredictably. Expert Ryhor Nizhnikau sees a dangerous trend.

- There are two Zelenskys. One is the war hero, with great respect in the West and also within Ukraine.

- But the other is a populist driven by simple election tactics.

When Mykhailo Fedorov was forced out of his position as defense minister this week, perhaps the largest street protests in Ukraine since the outbreak of the war erupted. The young Fedorov has received much of the credit for the country’s recent military successes, and many could not understand why he would be replaced after such a short time.

He had been appointed to the post in January, succeeding Denys Shmyhal, who was also only allowed to be defense minister for six months.

According to Ryhor Nizhnikau, a senior researcher at the Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) in Helsinki, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gets nervous as soon as someone else becomes very popular – no matter how loyal that person is.

“Zelenskyy becomes politically jealous, so to speak,” says Nizhnikau.

“Then he wants to eliminate any potential challenger, and I emphasize potential, because Fedorov has been a staunch Zelenskyy loyalist.”

“Then he let it go”

TT: So these reshuffles are likely to continue, no matter how good someone is at their job?

– Yes, we can definitely say that it is the most likely.

But Nizhnikau sees a dangerous trend, if the president cares less and less about the reactions each time.

– Remember that last year, in the Nabu mess, when the public protested, he let it go and moved on.

The researcher is referring to the presidential administration’s attempt in the summer of 2025 to limit the independence of the anti-corruption agencies Nabu and Sapo. After strong protests, Zelensky backed down.

– Now he is standing his ground, says Nizhnikau.

Fedorov has thus not been given back the post of defense minister – even though the public demonstrations seem larger this time.

New warfare

Admittedly, the president reacted by firing Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyj a few days later, whose rivalry with Fedorov triggered the latest power struggle.

The older Syrsky was replaced by 43-year-old Mykhailo Drapatyj, who, according to analysts, is more in line with the new, less hierarchical warfare that Fedorov has been responsible for – hypermodern drone units that have great freedom to make their own decisions in the field.

Fedorov may also remain to some extent, in some form of relatively high-ranking role in the fight against Russia’s offensive war. But the demands of the street have been full of vindication. “Reinstate” has been a common slogan, that is, that Fedorov should be given his ministerial post back.

– Perhaps for the first time in his political career, Zelensky is ignoring the most important demand that the public, society, is making of his rule.

– If the crisis ends like this, then it is a bad, bad sign. 

“Thinking in election terms”

Nizhnikau thus assesses that Zelensky sees all other power holders as contenders in the next election, even though such a thing is hardly on the map. As long as Ukraine is at war, the constitution does not allow elections to be held.

– It shouldn’t be like that, but he’s thinking in electoral terms in a country where there may not be an election for ten years.

The turbulence is being closely followed by the outside world, since much of the war’s development is determined by who decides what in Ukraine’s defense. But the international reactions are low-key. Ryhor Nizhnikau describes it as the EU having invested so much in Zelenskyj as a war leader that European powers in this case are mostly watching and hoping for the best. Russia is cozying up – but has already invested everything it can in attempts to destabilize Ukraine.

– Zelenskyj will not change. Russia will continue as before. Europe will also continue on its path, says Nizhnikau.

– What remains is the Ukrainian people.

– The Ukrainian people will decide how this war ends. Or how this war continues.

Facts

Volodymyr Zelensky

Born in 1978 and raised in Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, with Russian as his native language.

Trained as a lawyer, but chose a career as a comedian and actor. Became famous through the TV series “Servant of the People” in which he portrays a history teacher who is unexpectedly elected President of Ukraine.

In 2019, he ran for president and defeated incumbent Petro Poroshenko. Zelensky was open about his limited political knowledge, but said he was friendly towards NATO and the EU, and focused on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine through diplomacy. 

 

He is married to Olena Zelenska. The couple met in high school, married in 2003, and have two children, born in 2004 and 2013.